I need a good 45 Colt 300gr hardcast HEAVY load....

Help Support Ruger Forum:

Bigboreshooter

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
447
Location
Birmingham, AL
A friend of mine gave me 50 of his 300gr hardcast gas checked 45 cal bullets.

I've never really worked up any heavy duty 45 Colt loads before. Mostly 250gr SWC's at 900 - 1,000 fps. I'd like to try something a little stouter in my Blackhawk & Vaquero.

I've got a good supply of H110 and 2400 on hand, along with both LP and LPM primers.

Help a brother out and give me your favorite recipe with those powders. :lol:
 
I'll give you John Taffin's loads.

Click Here.

20.5 to around 21.0 grains of H110 sparked by a Mag primer, depending on bullet style. The Keith style of bullets set deeper in the cases and should be reduced a few grains of powder. The LBT styles can use the above data.

John Linebaugh also has info on his web site. The link is underlined.

flatgate
 
I use 21.0 - 21.5 grains of H110 with a Cast Performance 300gr LFNGC. I use Starline brass and WLP's.

I haven't chrono'd it out of a 4" Redhawk, but it hits with authority and is not unpleasant to shoot.
 
I will add this to the mix. I use 17.5 grns of 2400 with a 300 grn cast bullet, standard primer, for a very accurate and pleasent shooting load. 19.5 grns of the same is also accurate and maximum in my guns and about all the noise and recoil I want.
BB
 
Thanks guys. That's just the kind of info I was looking for. Keep 'em coming.

None of my reloading manuals list any "Ruger only" loads for bullets weighing over 250 grains.

As I should have stated in the OP, I'm not looking for absolute MAX loads. I just want some loads that are a step up from the factory stuff. I won't be using them in my 25-5's.....just the Ruger SA's.

Thanks again.
 
Hodgdon's Web Site Data:

325 GR. CPB LFN PB Hodgdon H4227 .452" 1.680" 20.0 1053 22,300 CUP 23.0 1189 28,000 CUP
325 GR. CPB LFN PB Hodgdon H110 .452" 1.680" 21.0 1109 18,100 CUP 24.0 1266 27,400 CUP
325 GR. CPB LFN PB Hodgdon Lil'Gun .452" 1.680" 17.0 1061 20,700 CUP 20.5 1235 29,700 CUP
335 GR. CPB LFN GC Hodgdon H4227 .452" 1.680" 20.0 1011 21,100 CUP 22.5C 1155 28,300 CUP
335 GR. CPB LFN GC Hodgdon H110 .452" 1.680" 20.5 1109 19,200 CUP 23.5 1240 28,000 CUP

I've fired a LOT of these loads out of my .45 cal. Blackhawks.

flatgate
 
BowenBuilt":gtq4en1z said:
I will add this to the mix. I use 17.5 grns of 2400 with a 300 grn cast bullet, standard primer, for a very accurate and pleasent shooting load. 19.5 grns of the same is also accurate and maximum in my guns and about all the noise and recoil I want.
BB

I've used this same load with the 300gr double crimp grove truncated cone bullet in my OM BH 7.5" barrel. It has a very sharp snappy recoil and after about 18 rounds from the BH my wrist is begging for mercy.
This load came from the Hodgdons #26 hard back loading manual. This is the book to look for if you want some really good heavy loads.
It's been out of print for quite a few years, I got my copy off eBay.

Joe
 
I've fired nothing but 23.0 grains of W296 with my RCBS 45-300 cast bullets for quite a few years. They actually end up right at about 320 grains with lube and check. I've used less of the H110 at that level. 23.0 grains is right at, or slightly above, most readily available published data. However, it is a load that has been used by several credible sources who are recognized by the shooting sports world. I cannot make a recommendation as to what you should do. And you'll undoubtedly be virtually as capable of whatever the revolver and bullet can do even with more readily found loads which are a grain or two lighter.
 
I load 22g WW296 behind 300g Cast Performance LBT style gas checked bullets. I stepped up to this load, and it is pretty snappy out of my 4 5/8" Blackhawk. I carried these loads for my month in Alaska this summer.
Here's a pic of my "EagleHawk" and some of those loads in new nickle Starline brass.
Eaglehawk.jpg
 
The load i use to test most new guns to see if there going to be worth working up loads for is a rcbs 300 swc and 20 grains of h4227 using a ww primer. Ive found for the most part if a 45 ruger wont shoot that load well its just not going to shoot well.
 
I second 4227 as a great powder. I shoot a stiff charge behind a hand cast 320 gr bullet with excellent accuracy.
 
Most of these are good loads, but make sure you get some manuals and look up information, rather than just relying on internet data.
 
Top